PIONEER ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE LOCAL PAGES
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
HER COO P E R AT I VE DI F F E R E N C E Our vice president and chief communications officer, Nanci McMaken, asked me to turn over my column space this month for a message from her. Before she gets her turn, I just want to thank Nanci personally and on behalf of Pioneer’s members. Nanci has been a “shining star,” communicating Ron Salyer PRESIDENT & CEO Pioneer’s message and vision to provide safe, high-quality, responsive service to Pioneer’s members for four decades. Nanci invented Pioneer’s tagline, “Everything we do revolves around you.” Nanci has lived up to this standard throughout her career, and I thank her for it. Pioneer is much better than the day Nanci walked in 40 years ago. Our goal will be to make Pioneer even better over the next 40 years. Congratulations on a well-deserved retirement. From Nanci McMaken, vice president and chief communications officer:
I
t’s customary to publish an article about a retiring employee, but I’d rather mine focus on others — those who had a hand in shaping my career and me — my coworkers, colleagues from across Ohio and the country, and of course you — the Pioneer members. I’m proud of my contributions and accomplishments, but “the others” were important to my success. Forty years ago, I didn’t know much about electric cooperatives. I wasn’t from rural America where farmrelated co-ops had long been a part of people’s lives and livelihood but coming to Pioneer Electric Cooperative instilled a passion in me for electric co-ops. The job was a perfect fit, combining my marketing and communications background with the opportunity to serve others and not be focused on turning a profit. As one who treasures the past as a means to prepare for the future, I have been privileged to also be the keeper of the great Pioneer story and to continue to record it as it evolved. During my career, I have worked for three CEOs, each bringing different talents and perspectives as they led the co-op. I respected them all and am grateful for the opportunities to work with and learn from each of these men and to advance my career.
I’ve had at least 194 co-workers during this time. Some had their own long careers here while others built upon shorter experiences at Pioneer in new careers within or outside of the electric industry. Still others will be keeping the work going long after I leave. All of them taught me more about people, about their areas of expertise, and about being part of a team pursuing the co-op’s mission. I’ve been privileged to work with 30 different Pioneer board trustees as they governed the cooperative through quieter times and times of great change in the electric industry. These individuals strive to act in the best interests of the membership even when faced with difficult decisions. Their commitment bolstered my understanding of and appreciation for the cooperative way of doing business. I enjoyed working with 208 county board members and serving as staff liaison for the nomination and election process each year. Some of these folks also served on committees, which studied changes such as board term limits and revamping the annual meeting, and some helped with Pioneer livestock purchases at county fairs back in the day. All of them enabled me to watch the powerful cooperative business model in action. Finally, there are countless members I appreciate for their influences on me. I was pleased to meet so many individually and to connect at annual meetings, other events, or out in the community. With others, I spoke on the phone or exchanged emails. Even those of you I’ve never personally interacted with were always driving the work I, my department, and the entire organization did. I am certain Pioneer members will remain the focus in the future. How do I adequately say thank you after all I experienced at Pioneer? I’m not sure I can, but please know my time as part of the local co-op and the electric cooperative program in Ohio and the nation has been a joy and an honor. I truly value the co-op and all “the others” who have had an impact on me through the years, right up to my last day at Pioneer. Thank you — and so long. Sincerely, Nanci McMaken
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